South Africa declare after piling on the runs at The Oval

Hashim Amla's three hundred and Jacques Kallis' best ever score against England lead tourists to aggressive declaration at The Oval

Hashim Amla reaches 200 during the first Test at The Oval cricket ground (Tom Hevezi)

FOLLOWING an utterly dominant second session, South Africa declared at tea and
sent England in to bat to save the match. At tea South Africa were in an
imperious position with a 252 run lead. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis have
recorded the 23rd highest partnership in Test history. Their 377 not out is
the fifth highest ever conceded by England and the highest in over fifty
years.

Immediately after the teams returned from lunch, the records began to tumble.
Amla first claimed his personal milestone before becoming the highest scorer
in South African Test cricket and finally the first South African to reach
300. His triple century, only the 27th in Test history, came at an ever
increasing rate. Following a drinks-break, both batsmen increased their
aggression; they plundered 58 runs from the final 10 overs of their innings.
Jacques Kallis’ 182 is his fourth highest score and also